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Welcome the return of Mad Men with ’60s-style soirée

Mad Men returns to AMC on March 25 with the premiere of season five. (SUPPLIED PHOTO)

By Alison Ladman and Michelle Locke Associated Press

Fri., March 23, 2012

Rye? Check.

Mini-sandwiches? Check

Polo shirt? Check

Cigarette pant (and cigarettes, if you prefer)? Check and check.

The above are essential to pulling off the perfect Mad Mensoirée. But don’t fret if your pink polo shirt is at the drycleaners. Here’s what you’ll need to pull off a ’60s-inspired party to greet the return of Mad Men on AMC Sunday at 9 p.m.

DRINKS: Aside from the old-fashioned, ad exec Draper’s drink of choice and made with rye the way Don did in Season 3’s “My Old Kentucky Home” episode, you can’t go wrong with a classic martini — made with gin, easy on the vermouth — and a rummy Hawaiian punch. The latter is a particularly appropriate choice since Hawaiian Punch, the juice product initially created in the ‘30s as a syrup ice-cream topping, was the focus for a classic ad campaign in the 1960s that introduced the character “Punchy” and the tagline “How about a nice Hawaiian punch?” That’s an in-your-face approach that might have come straight out of the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce agency.

Of course, the ad men drink their boozy beverages in style, so you should be sure to serve yours up in the appropriate barware. Pick up a set of low, curvy glasses, and earn bonus points for silver-edging, such as the platinum rimmed glassware set, $33, from West Elm. A martini shaker, low scotch and sleek martini glasses are also must-haves, and keep it all cool with a simple ice bucket on display, such as the shiny, stainless steel option, $40, from new-to-Toronto CB2. Discerning drinkers will, however, forgive you for a more modern touch to keep spirits on the rocks at their best by swapping out the frozen water – which, as it melts, dilutes the taste — with whiskey stones, $20, from ThinkGeek.com.

FOOD: Go retro, starting with a plate of devilled eggs, all the better if you can serve them on one of those dimpled trays made especially for this purpose. Try scoping out vintage shops, or family member’s cupboards for the trays. Try chopped ham and a dash of hot sauce for the “devilry” part. Serve with a smirk and your best impression of the piquant wit of Roger Sterling.

Chips and dip, still party staple, is also a great Mad Men nosh in homage to Pete Campbell’s duplicate wedding gift — even better if you can serve it up on a two-in-one chip and dip platter.

Or try an avocado and crab mini sandwich. Avocado — both as a food and colour — was a big hit in the 1960s kitchen; this combo brings in a hint of California, the “Tomorrowland” state where Draper goes to overcome his past.

And, finally, how about a cheese ball platter, the nutty classic that everyone cracks jokes about, right up until the plate’s scraped clean of its creamy, cheesy goodness. It’s just the thing for the season premiere, a two-hour special written by series creator Matt Weiner.

DÉCOR: Pull out your best china and tablecloths — Betty Draper would never settle for anything less — and don’t forget the napkins. A rotary phone, still available at many thrift shops, nods to Don and Betty’s communications breakdown. Print off vintage magazine covers and advertisements from the period, or pick up old copies at thrift stores, so guests have era-appropriate reading material and eye candy. Fans can also download the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce logo from the Mad Men website.

FASHION: Regular Sunday night attire of jeans or pajamas just won’t do. Pencil skirts, fitted frocks and country club-worthy suits are essential to help capture that Madison Avenue vibe. And a gentleman can really never go wrong with a bow tie.

For women, there’s the hot-pink Betty dress ($150) or floral sheath ($150) from Banana Republic’s Mad Men spring capsule collection, available at the Eaton Centre, created by Janie Bryant, Mad Men's costume designer. For men, try a wool blazer ($250) and V-neck sweater ($59) combo, or the slightly more casual framed polo shirt ($49.50) and wool pant ($98.50) with loafers. Add a coloured pocket-square to any outfit to make it pop.

With files from Star staff

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